Stephens College to open ‘Teaching from the Collections’ fashion exhibition

This fall, the Stephens College School of Design is presenting the fashion exhibition “Teaching from the Collections,” featuring 13 original ensembles from legendary fashion designers Geoffrey Beene, Bonnie Cashin and Claire McCardell. The curated gallery exhibition opens at noon on Oct. 6 in the Historic Costume Gallery, located on the mezzanine level of Lela Raney Wood Hall. The show runs through Dec. 16.

The featured designers from the 1940s to the 1970s represent important threads in the fabric of 20th-century American fashion. Beene revolutionized ready-to-wear garments by translating high-fashion concepts into distinctive, comfortable designs. Cashin and McCardell made strides in fashion innovations with a focus on easy movement, pioneering modern sportswear.

Guests will have a chance to test their knowledge at the end of the exhibition. And a fashion petting zoo will allow guests to examine “okay-to-touch” pieces from the museum’s 13,000-piece collection.

Stephens design students played a vital role in making the new Stephens College Costume Museum and Research Library exhibition a reality.

“Our students have been involved at every level in the curation and promotion of this exhibition,” said Dr. Lori Hall-Araujo, the exhibit curator and an assistant professor at Stephens. “They have helped conduct research, design marketing materials and style the exhibition space. All are valuable learning experiences for our students.”